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Community leaders get locked up for a good cause

By 2:30 p.m. Thursday, June 25, the Muscular Dystrophy Association had raised just under $40,000 from holding 62 people captive at its South Sarasota Lockup, held at Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse. Friends, families and community members were responsible for coming up with bail money — set at $2,500 per person — the cost to send three children with limited mobility to MDA summer camp.

Noah McRitchie, who has previously attended camp, was locked up with his family all day. He said his favorite part of camp is swimming and bonfires.

“We’re very appreciative that he can go,” said Laura McRitchie, Noah’s mother. “He participates in swimming, archery, arts and crafts, derby car races — which he got a trophy for — and he’s a bouncer at the camp. He’s got his own flashlight.”

Last year's South Sarasota Lockup raised more than $47,000. The goal this year is $60,000. Proceeds will also benefit local children and adults who are affected by more than 40 types of neuromuscular diseases.

“We don’t receive federal funding or United Way,” said Crystal Grant, regional public affairs coordinator for MDA. “All the services to kids, like Noah, are free. The wheelchairs and clinics are free. We receive money through lockups and by sending out firefighters who collect money in their boots.”